Benefits of Technology in Online Speech Therapy

Guest Post: Eliza Brooks (Commercial site link. This is not an endorsement)

In America, kids and even adults experience speech disabilities. These disabilities can become huge problems in the long run, especially when kids become adults and apply for jobs. Or kids may also have communication problems in school that can hinder their learning process. Some disabilities are stuttering, autism, or aphasia. 

If you or someone you know have speech disabilities, technology has paved the way for better communication for everyone. And this is in the form of online speech therapy. Let’s dig deeper into what online speech therapy’s benefits are and the technological advancements in this field. 

Benefits of Online Speech Therapy

 Those with communication disorders would likely hire a speech pathologist to help them improve their speech. Before, face-to-face speech therapy was the method. However, technology has paved the way for better speech therapy through online courses. Here are some benefits:

·       Enrolling in online speech therapy classes means you’ll still be working with professional pathologists

·       Parents can get involved during the speech therapy classes and see their kids’ progress over time

·       Without a doubt, online speech class is more convenient as students don’t have to travel all the way to the school for their therapy sessions. 

·       Those with mobility issues should find that online speech therapies are more hassle-free and versatile. 

·       You can enroll wherever you are in the world. You can attend therapy sessions remotely and still have the same schedule and progress as others.

Technological Advancements in Online Speech Therapy

 Without a doubt, technology has impacted online speech therapies. It has made the entire experience better and more convenient. This paves the way for a more enjoyable learning experience. Here’s how technology has impacted digital speech therapy:

Artificial Intelligence

AI is all around us. From house equipment to office tools and gadgets, Artificial Intelligence is undeniably making waves online today. And in speech therapy, AI can be used for voice recognition. It can be easy for virtual classes to collaborate when there are voice recognition features. Also, some online activities in speech therapy can make use of voice recognition. 

Apps and Software

 Nowadays, onboarding for virtual speech therapy is quick and easy. Gone are the days when students have to queue up for enrollment in physical schools. Students have to go from one counter or department to another to undergo through each enrollment process. On the other hand, technology has given rise to apps and various software for virtual speech therapy sessions. All you have to do is sign up and enter virtual classrooms to start the session. 

Robotics

 In 2005, technology created Kaspar. Kaspar is a robot with a human face that helps children with communication disabilities, specifically those with autism. Kaspar is the size of a little child and is deployed in schools under the supervision of adults. However, recent research has made Kaspar wireless. Through virtual controls and interactions, Kaspar can also help children with their speech disorders. 

CONCLUSION

 Technology has impacted every sector in society, and online speech therapy is one of them. This niche has taken advantage of technological advancements, making learning more progressive for students. And will it stop here? Definitely not. As long as there’s connectivity, there will be continuous technology innovation.